A defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in all areas of government operations, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.
